Tribute to John Henry Smith

EDITOR'S TABLE 83 TO MY SON. Do you know that your soul is of my soul such a part, That you seem to be fibre and core of my heart? None other can pain me as you, dear, can do, None^other can please me or praise me as you. j Remember the world will be quick with its blame, If shadow or stain ever darken your name, "Like mother like son" is a saying so true The world will judge largely of mother by you. Be your's then the task, if task it should be, To force the proud world to do homage to me, Be sure it will say when its verdict you've won, She reaped as she sowed. Lo! This is her son. Margaret Johnstone Graflin. If the ability were mine, it would be used to impress, beyond the power of time to efface, upon the heart of every son the fact that he is "fibre and core" of his mother's heart, and to inspire him with all the power and determination of his being to make "the proud world" do homage to her who offered her life as a sacrifice, if need be, on the altar of love, that he might have birth. Heber J. Grant. A Tribute to John Henry Smith — His Labors in the M. I. A. At the funeral services of President John Henry Smith, Elder Heber J. Grant paid this tribute to him, in connection with his labors in the M. I. A: Elder John Henry Smith's official connection with the Young Men's Mutual Improvement Associations dated back almost to the commencement of the organization in June, 1875. He had been called home from his European mission, in the following August, on account of the serious illness of his father, Pres. Geo. 'A. Smith, arriving in time to spend about two weeks at his bedside before he died on September 1st. John Henry attended a few of the meetings that were being- held to organize the associations that fall, and on the 6th of Nov- ember, 1875, received a letter of appointment, in connection with Elders Milton H. Hardy and B. Morris Young, from the First Presidency of the Church, "to take up and continue the work of

84 IMPROVEMENT ERA organizing the associations throughout the Church," which had been begun by Elder Junius F. Wells, who had, a few days before, started upon a mission to the middle and eastern states. During the winter of 1875-6 Elders Smith, Hardy and Young were very active, visiting and holding meetings in a good many places in the territory. They reported the result of their labors at the first conference of the associations, held in the Old Taber- nacle, April 8, 1876. There had been organized up to that time fifty-three associations, with about 1,200 members. Some time before this conference Elder Smith was called to be bishop of the 17th ward, November 22, 1875, holding that office until he was ordained to the apostleship, October 27, 1880. The duties of these offices in the Priesthood occupied the greater part of his time, the burden of the work among the young men falling upon other shoulders. He, nevertheless, was always interested in the associations, and when the General Superintend- ency was sustained, in June, 1897, and a General Board of Aids or Assistants was appointed, he was chosen to be one of these; and in this position continued, officially and actively, to labor for the welfare of the organization until his death. In his public ministry, visiting the conferences and missions of the Church, at which meet- ings for the young people were arranged, he would be sure to attend such meetings; and his discourses to the young were always inspired with interest and love for them, and were inspiring and encouraging to them, to be true to their birthright in the Church and loyal to their country. In the meetings of the General Board, of which he was always a faithful attendant when possible, his counsel was for the wise and prudent and patriotic course — always evincing great concern for preserving the young men of the community in purity of thought and conduct. His pride and ambition was to have them worthy of the companionship of pure women, and willing to be the protec- tors of such. He advocated early marriage among them, and the assumption by every young man of the duties and responsibilities of the head of a family. He believed that such men made the best citizens of the Republic, and he was tireless in urging young men to become good citizens — to be lovers of their country, defenders of he constitution, loyal to the flag. He advocated and practiced the advice of the Prophet Joseph, given to his father — "Preach short sermons, and make short